color

English translation: defendant acted in his official capacity or else claimed to do so

00:15 Mar 14, 2005

English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Law/Patents - Law (general)

English term or phrase: color

"Respondents, acting under color of law, have violated and continue to violate, inter alia, the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Respondents' acts deny the detained process the porcess accorded to persons seized and detained by United States."

It's a part of a case filed by a detained.

What does the word "color" here mean?

Waleed Mohamed KudoZ activity Questions: 476 (5 open) (2 without valid answers) (16 closed without grading) Answers: 576 United Arab Emirates
Local time: 03:47

Selected answer:defendant acted in his official capacity or else claimed to do so

Explanation:
In this context "under the color of law" means the person is acting in the course of or as part of that person's government employment. Monroe v. ...
attygen.state.ut.us/Opinions_ AttorneyGeneral/agop91019.htm

... Acting under color of law means that the defendant acted in his official capacity or else claimed to do so, even if he misused or abused his power by ...
www.usdoj.gov/usao/eousa/foia_ reading_room/usam/title8/cvr00133.htm

Selected response from:

RHELLER
United States
Local time: 17:47

Grading comment

Thanks Rita and all
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

3 +7

defendant acted in his official capacity or else claimed to do so

RHELLER

4 +2

s.b.

silvia b (X)

5 -1

Cover

Anna Maria Augustine (X)

2 -1

as if (lawful)

Derek Gill Franßen

Answers

4 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +7

color of law

defendant acted in his official capacity or else claimed to do so

RHELLER
United States
Local time: 17:47
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 32

Grading comment

Thanks Rita and all

4 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): -1

color (of law) as if (lawful)

Explanation:
It seems to mean that the actions were performed under the pretense of being lawful.
:-)

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 mins (2005-03-14 00:20:34 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Is this from the decision in one of the cases against Rumsfeld? ;-)

Derek Gill Franßen
Germany
Local time: 01:47
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 55

5 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

s.b.

Explanation:
From the F.B.I. website:

" "Color of law" simply means that the person doing the act is using power given to him or her by a governmental agency (local, state or federal). Criminal acts under color of law include acts not only done by local, state, or federal officials within the bounds or limits of their lawful authority, but also acts done beyond the bounds of their lawful authority. Off-duty conduct may also be covered under color of law, if the perpetrator asserted their official status in some manner. Color of law may include public officials who are not law enforcement officers, for example, judges and prosecutors, as well as, in some circumstances, non governmental employees who are asserting state authority, such as private security guards."

Reference: http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/civilrights/color.htm

silvia b (X)
Local time: 01:47
Native speaker of:

Italian
PRO pts in category: 4

2 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): -1

Cover

Explanation:
They are hiding behind laws.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 mins (2005-03-14 00:22:29 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Please see number 8

col·or (klr)
n.
1. That aspect of things that is caused by differing qualities of the light reflected or emitted by them, definable in terms of the observer or of the light, as:
a. The appearance of objects or light sources described in terms of the individual\'s perception of them, involving hue, lightness, and saturation for objects and hue, brightness, and saturation for light sources.
b. The characteristics of light by which the individual is made aware of objects or light sources through the receptors of the eye, described in terms of dominant wavelength, luminance, and purity.
2. A substance, such as a dye, pigment, or paint, that imparts a hue.
3.
a. The general appearance of the skin; complexion.
b. A ruddy complexion.
c. A reddening of the face; a blush.
4. The skin pigmentation of a person not categorized as white.
5. colors A flag or banner, as of a country or military unit.
6. colors The salute made during the ceremony of raising or lowering a flag.
7. colors A distinguishing symbol, badge, ribbon, or mark: the colors of a college.
8. colors One\'s opinion or position: Stick to your colors.
9. Character or nature. Often used in the plural: revealed their true colors.
10.
a. Outward appearance, often deceptive: a tale with the merest color of truth.
b. Appearance of authenticity: testimony that lends color to an otherwise absurd notion.

Anna Maria Augustine (X)
France
Local time: 01:47
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English,

French
PRO pts in category: 23

Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:

ProZ.com term search

Search millions of term translations

color

English translation: defendant acted in his official capacity or else claimed to do so

Answers

KudoZ™ translation help

Your current localization setting

Select a language

color

English translation: defendant acted in his official capacity or else claimed to do so

Answers

KudoZ™ translation help

You have native languages that can be verified

Your current localization setting

Select a language